&nbsp;... is the ability to regulate and alter responses in order to avoid undesirable behaviors, increase desirable ones, and achieve long-term goals.

Self-Control

Problem Solving

<ul><li>A 2011 survey found that 27 % of respondents identified a lack of willpower as the primary factor keeping them from reaching their goals.&nbsp;</li><li>One study found that students who exhibited greater self-discipline had better grades, higher test scores, and were more likely to be admitted to a competitive academic program.&nbsp;</li><li>The study also found that when it came to academic success, self-control was a more important factor than IQ scores.</li><li>A health study found that people who were rated as having high levels of self-control during childhood continued to have high levels of physical and mental health in adulthood.</li><li>Research has found that self-control is a limited resource. In the long-term, exercising self-control tends to strengthen it.&nbsp; </li></ul>

Research on Self-Control

A lack of willpower is not the only factor that affects goal attainment.<ul><li>There needs to be a clear goal and the motivation to change.&nbsp;Having an unclear or overly general goal and insufficient motivation can lead to failure.</li><li>You need to monitor your actions daily towards the achievement of the goal.</li><li>You need to have willpower.</li></ul>

Motivation and Monitoring

<ul><li>Avoid temptation.&nbsp;</li><li>Plan ahead.&nbsp;If you are faced with temptation, what actions will you take to avoid giving in?&nbsp;</li><li>Practice using self-control.&nbsp;Think of self-control as a muscle. While hard work may exhaust the muscle in the short-term, the muscle will grow stronger over time as you continue to work it.</li><li>Try focusing on one goal at a time. Once you turn the behaviors needed to reach a goal into habits, you will not need to devote as much effort toward maintaining them.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Improving Self-Control

Self-control is the ability to regulate and alter responses in order to avoid undesirable behaviors, increase desirable ones, and achieve long-term goals. Research has shown that possessing self-control can be important for health and well-being. Common goals such as losing weight, exercising regularly, eating healthy, not procrastinating, giving up bad habits, and saving money are just a few worthwhile ambitions that people believe require self-control.

Self-Control

How Ego Depletion Can Sabotage Your Willpower

Ego Depletion

Self Control

Causes of Ego Depletion